A TlNliiSPARK 



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COFYRIC.HT DKPOSIT. 



A TINY SPARK 



BY 



CHRISTINA MOODY 




^Jr 



Washing-ton, D. C. 

MURRAY BROTHERS PRESS 

1910 






Copyright, 1910, by Christina Moody. 



■\^' 



C1.A280668 



PREFACE 



HIS little volume is composed of 
verses, written at different times, 
in my leisure hours, as an ex- 
pression of the author's varying- 
states of mind, or for the grati- 
fication of friends. 

It makes no pretensions to lit- 
erar y merit, but will find its 
aim accomplished if it should prove a pleasure 
to friends, or a means of leading a devout 
heart to a more cheerful confidence in God. 

Christina Moody. 

(Age 16 Years.) 




Washington, D. C. 
December 1, 1910 



DEDICATED 

TO 

MY MOTHER AND FATHER 



INDEX. 

Page. 



'To My Dear Reader 


7 


The Love of a Slave Mother 


8 


The Soldier's Letter 


9 


Chillun and Men 


10 


The American Flag- 


12 


The Neg-ro's Flag- and Country 


13 


Advice from Uncle Enoux 


15 


Alone . . - - 


16 


I am Happy, dat is all 


17 


What the Master Said 


18 


Spring .... 


18 


Ol' Man Rain P'ease Go Away 


19 


The Depth From Whence We Came 


21 


My Mother . . . , 


23 


The Child 


24 


Resolve For Today 


24 


Manish Tom ... 


25 


Our Faithful Guide 


25 


The Little Seed 


26 


The Christian 


27 


Slack Relig-ion 


28 


Marj Lue's Lover 


30 


To Memory of Rev. George W. Lee 


31 


My Prayer . . . 


33 


When I'm Dead and Gone 


33 


The Forsaken Mother 


34 


Sam Found Something New & Mammy 


she did too 36 


Mary's Little Goat 


37 


A Tale Told by Grandma 


38 


The Pie Sister Made 


41 


A Verse for Dark Days - 


41 


The Night is Fast Approaching 


42 


Love and Hate 


42 


Sampson No. 2 - 


43 



A TINY SPARK 



To My Dear Reader. 

Don't criticize m}^ writing 

Cause I ain't well trained 3 ou know 
I hab al-wa3's been so sickl}^ 

Dat I haben had much show. 

Don't laff and ridicule me 

Cause 'twill make me feel ashamed, 
For I knows dat I ain't great 

Nor neither have I fame. 

Some of dese poems )^ou'er reading 

Was written long ago, 
When I was jist a little kid 

Of thirteen years or so. 

Don't criticize m}^ poems, 

'Cause I wrote 'em all for you; 

I ain't had much training 
'Tis de best dat I can do. , 

And if you find's my book 
Ain't good as fought to be, 

Jist leave it to my ignorance 
And don't you laff at me. 



The Love of a Slave Mother. 

Just between the dawn and daylig-ht 
Down by the Swany River shore 

Crept a slave mother with her child 
Clasped to her bosom tight. 

She looked upon her and whispered 
''So Mas'er was g-wine to sell )^ou 

And we's done run awa)^. 

Now Mas'er won't see us no mo' 

T'will de break of Judment day." 

She casted her eyes toward heaven 
And sent up a silent prayer 

That Jesus the King- of Glory 
Would take her and bab)^ there. 

Just as the Sun of heaven 
Kissed the earth with its blessed light 

She whispered softly to baby 
"Cling to 3^0' mother tight." 

Within that very moment 
The sound of a splash was heard, 

And silence came over the waters 
As though nothing had occured. 

But upon the morning breezes 
Rose a soft and tender sound, 

It floated to her master's house 
And lingered upon his ground. 

8 



"So Mas'er was g-wine to sell 5^ou 
And we's done runawa3^ 

And Mas'er won't see us no mo' 
T'well de break of Judgement Day." 



The Soldier's Letter. 

Dear Mother, it g-ives me bitter pain 
To break this news to you, 

That I, your son, am dying-, 
But dyingf brave and true. 

I know when )^ou receive this 
Your heart will break in twain. 

But mourn me not, dear Mother, 
For I do not die in vain. 

Some of our bravest soldiers 

Are lying- cold and still. 
They shed their blood most freely, 

In the fig-ht on San Juan's Hill. 

Let your heart be filled with pride 
For the Neg-ro boys foug-ht well; 

They faced that fearful battle 
Fearing- neither shot nor shell. 

I have not forgotten, dear mother, 
How — the day I marched away — 

You said, "My son, for mother's sake 
Don't forget to pray." 
9 



I've kept 3'our bidding-, mother, 
For I've prayed both day and night. 

And on San Juan's blood}^ hillside 
In the thickest of the fight, 

Pound my prayer ascending upward 
To the King above the heighth. 

I fear not Jordan's billows 
Though they do fiercely roll; 

I'm safe in Jesus, the anchor of my sou] 
I can hear his voice a calling 

I know my work is done; 
Meet me in heaven, mother, 

From your true and loving son. 

Cfiillun and Men. 

Wats dat fretting mammy's chile? 
You'se enough to set me wile. 

Stop m}^ work and play wid )^ou? 

Hum, dats a pritt}^ ting to do. 

Here's I got dis fish to fr)^ — 
Hush, honey don't you cr}^ — 

Dar now, dar now, shut right up. 

Lause dat youngon's broke my cup. 

Le' go dat po cat's tail — 

Why I just soon be in jail — 

Don't you know dat cat will scratch 
Land of goodness give me dat match. 
10 



Set yo' se'f down in dat chair; 

And you jest move, sur, if you dare; 
Take yo' hands off dat air fish — 
Holy smokes dar g-oes de dish. 

Good ting m}^ hands is in dis doe, 
If dey weren t I'd whip you sho. 
Getting sleppy? well I guess, 
Lay down dar and take yo' res'. 

Don't 3"Ou lemme see you move, 
Turn over dar take off dem shoes. 
Look what a mess dis room is in. 
Tings am stroned from end to end. 

Above all tings I do declare. 
Jest look'er )^onder at dat chair. 
I never seed sich in all my life, 
Dat youngon's hacking it wid a knife. 

Here comes Ben, well I be bless, 
What '11 he say about dis mess? 

Chillun and men, chillun and men; 

When a 'oman gits married 
Then hur trobles begin. 




11 



The American Flag. 



Wave on, old Flag-, with all th}^ mig-ht! 
Wave on, and show thy colors brig-ht! 

Wave on, oh. Flag of Liberty! 

You are welcome to wave in the land of the 
Free. 

You've sparkled your stars, )^ou've waved 

5^our stripes, 
To wave 5^ou have tried in the stormest night 
Once all around you cannons roared like 

thunder. 
And shots fired through you rent you asunder 
But on waved the threads, all left of thee, 
Waved on until our countrj^ was free. 

God the might}^ and the just 

Has g-iven thee, oh Flag, to us. 
You deserve more honor than we can give to 

thee 
For you represent to us our Liberty. 

All we can do, is look at you and sa}^ 

"You are the g-reatest of all Flags today." 



12 



The Negro's Flag and Country. 

"Why do )^ou write of the American's Flag-, 

Of its stripes of red and white? 
And wh}^ do you call a flag 5'our own 

To which 3^ou have no right? 

Why do 3'ou praise the white man's flag-, 
When you have not one of your own? 

And wh}^ do you love this country 

When this countrj^ is not 3^our home?" 

These words were said to me b}^ a member of 

my race. 
The fire was kindled within me as I looked him 
in the face. 
I call this Flag my own., because long 3^ears 

ago 
A war broke out for freedom and the land 
was full of woe. 

The white man old and young fought with all 

their strength and might. 
But the3' found the field was prett3" hot, then 
the Negro joined the fight. 
The Negro shed his blood w^ithout a murmur 

or complaint, 
And though they faced man3^ a hardship, 
their brave hearts did not faint. 

13 



My claim upon this countr}^ is sealed with 
Negro blood. 

That swept man}^ a battle field in ro3^al crim- 
son flood. 

I claim it, 3^es! I claim it! because for man}^ 

years. 
We have mourned the loss of our heroes with 

bitter hearts and briny tears. 

Give me back my death bound warriors, and 

I'll bow my head and cease: 
But no! the}^ are g'one, yes g-one forever, so let 
their bones rest on in peace. 
Then sing- it in the school house, then cheer 

the Neg-ro's Flag-. 
Ring it in the school bell, don't let its ban- 
ners drag-. 

Sing- of the Neg-ro heroes who fought in the 

days of 3^ore; 
Sing- it until it echoes on the banks of eter- 
nity's shore. 
The Neg-ro's Flag- and country, long- may 

thy gflory shine, 
And know ye that I, a Neg-ro, claim the 
Roj^al Flag- as mine. 



14 



Advice From Uncle Enoux. 

Mother, train }^o' chillun jest de way yo'd hab 

'em go, 
^Cause jest like 3^ou bends de saplin, da't de 

wa}^ its gwine to grow. 
Father, teach 5^0' sons jest de ting- yo'd hab 

'em know, 
'Cause de way 3'ou aims yo' arrow dat's de way 

its gwine to go. 

Now don't you tink 3^0' chillun is too good to 

learn to work, 
'Cause a little bit a hardship, now and den 

aint gwine to hurt. 
For dey's got one ting to learn, and dat is — 

neber shirk 
If dey's workin' in a office or a'diging in de dirt. 

You ma3^ hab plenty mone3% and a plent3' 

something eat 
And may leave it to yo' chilluns when you 

lays 3^ou down to sleep; 
And ev3^ting at first will run right smooth 

and sweet 
T'well de mone3^ dat you left 'em gine to 

sneak, and sneak, and sneak. 

Den if you aint taught 'em nothing, but to set 

and hold de3" hands 
Dey can't earn demselves a libing, and a'how 

you spose dey can? 
Den dey'll end up in de po' house, 'cause 'tis 

jest is true and show 
Dat de way you aim 3^0' arrow, dats de way its 

gwine to go. 

15 



Alone. 

I think 'twould been nice if mamma had sta3^ed 
And had not gone to heaven so soon; 

And happ}^ I'd been if my little brother Jim 
Had not followed her to the tomb. 

T'was just yesterda}^ when they layed father 
away, 

And left me in the wide world alone 
Don't make the parlor cheerful, 

Don't turn the gas light on. 
For it brings back sad memories 

Which pierce my heart like a thorn. 

No mamma to read b)^ the fireside. 
No brother to kiss and chide, 
No more smiles from father 
I wish that I too had died. 

If I should wander in the orchard. 
Oh! my heart, what do I see? 

Only our favorite play ground under the old 
oak tree- 
But instead of mamma's hammock and broth- 
er's swinging chair. 
Three newly made graves, side by side, lie there. 



16 



I Am Happy-Dat Is AH. 

When I see's de nice white snow 

Den dar's fun fur me I know. 

De winds ma}'^ blow, and storms may rise, 

And clouds may g-ather in the sk)^; 

But I gits my sled and slicks de rounds, 

And awa)^ I shoots across de ground. 

When de rain come pouring- down, 
I trys to pout and trys to frown, 
But when I looks up on de she'f 
Dar's something: dar dat takes m}^ bref, 
— Dat ol' Banjo. 

When de wind does howl and blow. 
What shall I do, whar shall I go? 
Down b}^ the fire I stretch m3^se'f. 
Like a little birdy in her nest; 
And while de wind does weep and wail 
Grandpa tell me old time tales. 

Oh! I's happy as kin be, 
No kind ob weather troubles me, 
I loves de Summer in its bloom, 
I loves de Winter in its g-loom, 
I loves de Spring-, I loves deFall, 
I am happy — dat is all. 



17 



What the Master Said. 

"Suffer little children to come unto me. 
The Master said one da}^ 
I am the light, in Me is no darkness, 
I am the onl}^ true wa}-. 

He that beleiveth and is baptized 
Be3^ond this world his treasure lies; 
And he that in M}^ foot path-tread, 
Sweet I'll make his dying- bed. 



Spring. 

The violets at last have awoke. 
Their underground cells they have broke; 
The birds again are on the wing, 
Singing of the beautiful Spring. 

Leaves are hanging on the trees. 

Dancing at every passing breeze; 
And the sky is clear and blue— 
Everj^thing in Spring seems new. 

The pretty dandelion w^ith its golden head, 
And the grasses and clovers have left their 
bed; 
Mother Nature has made her call, 
Now the Glory of God surrounds us all. 
18 



or Man Rain, P'ease Go Away. 

Rain, Rain, go awa3^ 
Us little chilluns wants to pla5^ 
Got to sta}^ in de house all da}^ 
If ol' Man Rain don't g-o awa}^. 

Wats de use in powing down 
Like you wants to see us drown? 
Wish dat you would 'en stay, 
or Man Rain, p'ease go away. 

Got de place all soaking wet. 
Front do' swolen so 'twont shet: 
Can't you see 3^ou'se in de way? 
or Man Rain p'ease go away. 

Mammy's cross as de ol' scratch, 
Papy's techus as a match. 
How long is you gwine to stay? 
or Man Rain, p'ease go away. 

Fido he's a fussing 
And a biting at de cat, 
And I recon if dey keep on 
Dey will end up in a scrap. 

Wat's de use of keep on drapping 
And a being in de way, 
When 3^ou knows for yo' se'f, 
Dat us chilluns wants to play? 
19 



Grandma setting in de corner 
Smoking- of hur pipe, 
I just said one word to hur 
And she just made me kite. 

You haden ought to bother 
Round in tother fokes' wa)^ 
And I wish to goodness, 
Dat yo'd 'pease go awa}. 

Grandpap he's a squalling 
And a'moaning wid de gout, 
And mammy keeps on fussing 
'Twell she's most put me out- 

lyook! look! What dat I see? 
Sun a shining through de tree, 
Rain done took hur heels and flew, 
Sky done turn from black to blue — 
Look, de rain-bow's in de sk}^ — 
or Man Rain, good-by, good-by. 




20 



The Depth From Whence We Came. 

M}^ fore-parents were slaves, 

I'm not ashamed to sa}^; 
Thougfh man}" a one disdains the fact, 

And fain would drive it rwrj. 

Why should we be ashamed to know 
• Of the depth from whence we came? 
When we see the progress of our race— 
The}" have risen from slaver}^ to fame. 

We once were crushed to the earth 

And bound with a heav}^ chain. 
And a seal was put upon us 

"Thou shall lose and never gain." 

How tight that chain did hold us, 
And the seal, how well it did last, 

While the Negro toiled on and grew wear}-, 
The chain and the seal held fast. 

For many long years did he toil thus. 
With no sign of deliverance near; 

To God he prayed with patience. 
But it seemed that He did not hear. 

The old men died and left the 3"oke 

For the 3"0unger ones to bear 
The young men grew old and others were born 

With the chain of slaver)^ to wear. 

21 



But before the earth was created, 
God saw the slave bound man; 

He wrote in His hoi}- scripture 

"Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand.'' 

After many )^ears of slaver)^ 

God's ligfhtening- was seen in the sky, 
His voice was heard in thunder sa3ang', 

"Let the Neg-ro rise." 

Lo! the chain was broken, 

And the seal was torn away; 
The Neg-ro saw in the heavens 

The dawn of his coming- da3^ 

He shook the dust from his shoulders, 
And stood face to face with the world 

He has proved his g-rit and courage 
Thoug-h rocks at him were hurled. 

He g-rasped every opportunit}^ 

And rose in spite of all, 
Whenever duty demanded him 

He did not need be called. 

You have risen, oh Mother Race, 

So be thou not ashamed, 
Let the once cursed name of Negro 

Stand for the word of Fame. 



22 



My Mother. 



I have friends, 3"es I can't count them that 
have been so kind to me. 
M}^ relatives too have I that I love affection- 
ately^ 
But there is one I have not named, whom I 
love above all others 
Who's name is sacred, sweet and charm- 
ing- — 'tis m}' mother. 

Her eyes are full of a mother's love, 

They are soft and tender as those of a dove. 
When she speaks I onl)" hear sweet music ring- 
ing- in my ear 
No other hand can sooth my pain 
Or drive sorrow back with fierce disdain 
But m}^ mother. 

No! I have not forg-otten my father, who is 
loving, kind and g-ood, 
Who has always done as much for me as an}^ 
father could. 
His e3'es too are tender, his voice is low and 
sweet. 
He brightens our home with his loving deeds, 
his presence is alwa3^s a treat. 

But, my mother! She's m}^ mother you 
know 
No matter who else there may be. 

And I just can't help from thinking 
There is nobody like her to me. 
23 



The Child. 



Precious to my heart is this sweet little child 
Come my dear, just one kiss, rest here awhile. 
Nestle closer to my breast, 
Slumber there, oh! thou blessed 

Fair little flower. 
Thou little one knows no care. 
Dwells in castles built of air. 
Would there I too could share 
Thy little bowers. 



Resolve For Today. 



Another day has dawned, another day has 

broke 
To toil for the Master and to bear His right- 
eous yoke. 
And thoug-h the day be sulky, and dry for 

want of rain. 
And our feet tired and weary, and our bodies 
full of pain. 
We'll take the g-ospel plow and plow up the 

field of sin. 
And we will sow seeds of kindness where the 
thorns of sin have been. 
24 



Manish Tom. 

When little Tom was five 3-ears old 
He received a watch of solid g-old 
Said he, "I am a little man 
And as brave as an}^ in this land." 
But a'last, a dog- came in sigfht 
And put poor manish Tom to flig-ht, 



Our Faithful Guide. 

I la)^ me down in peace to sleep and I think 

not of the morrow, 
Yet I know not whether it will bring- to me 

joy or sorrow. 
But still I slumber peaceful and leave it all 

to Him, 
Who rules the earth and heaven, mortal and 

immortal men. 
And if we always trust Him with our tiny 

might 
He'll safely lead and g-uide us through the 

day and nig-ht. 



25 



The Little Seed. 

A little seed fell to the earth, 
'Twas the seed of an apple tree. 

'Twas too small to grow I could plainly see- 
Why it was'nt as larg-e as a pea. 

But the little seed planned of days to come, 
When his body would be g-reat and tall. 

But how could that be, when he was so wee, 
He could scarcely be seen at all? 

B}^ and by the seed broke in twain, 
'Twas the death of him I said. 

But instead of death, a prett}^ stem 
Lifted up his little gfreen head. 

The stem grew up with perfect g-race 
And looked with wondering- eyes. 

At the painting- of Nature's wonderfull art. 
Until he became verj^ wise. 

Little leaflets too came forth, 

With beauty that can't be told. 
So the seed that was wee, g-rew into a tree 

'Twas a wonderful sight to behold. 



26 



The Christian. 

I is on my wa}- to heaben, 

Stead)^ bound fur cannons shore. 

I has turned my back on Satin 
I don't like dis world no more. 

I has got de sword of truth 

Holding- fast in my right hand, 

And I's gwine to cut and slash old Satin 
Twell I reach de promis land. 

Life I know won't be so smooth now 
Stumbling blocks is in de way. 

But dey aint a gwine to hender 
If I ondly wach and pray. 

Don't you tink by me a talking, 
Dat I's tink myself so strong, 

Cause I aint, I's weak and sinful, 
But I knows de right from wrong. 

I can't preach like brother Jacob 
Nor can I sing like sister Green 

But I can tell anybody of 
The one on which I lean. 

I can tell you how he suffered 
When he died on Calvry's tree: 

I can tell ob how in Glory 
Jesus pleads for you and me. 

27 



I can tell ob wonderous mercy 
Dot he showed to m}^ po' soal; 

How he helt de hand of justice, 
Under merc3^'s sweet control. 

How w^hen I has most forg-ot Him, 
And wanders out in depth of sin, 

How His voice so sweet and tender 
Calls me back to Him again. 

So it aint no use in loving 

All these fadeing earthly things, 
I hab set m}^ heart on heben, 

And I'se g-wnne to meet de King". 



Slack Religion. 



Folks is g-etting might)^ slacky, 
Dese days dey don't pra}^ no mo' 
And when Jesus comes a knocking, dey jist 
turns Him from de do.' 
Went down Sally's house las' nig-ht and she 

ups and says to me, 
"Look'er here, sister Mand)^ Jinkens come go 
to de dancing- bee." 
Den I turned in mazing wonder, sot my 

e)^es on dat air gal 
And I said in soder whisper, "Show'h^ you 
don't mean dat. Sail?" 
28 



Wh}^ 'twas jest last quarterh' meeting- dat you 

shouted up so high, 
Thoug-ht upon ni}" word and honor, dat 3'o'd 

showly touch de sky; 
And all de benches round you was a gwine 

right an' lef; 
And now, MissSall}^ Carline, has3"Ou la3^ed 

dat on de she'f ?" 
Den she walled dem great big- e3^es of her'n 

and looked at me jest so, 
And she got me kinder han'cap'ed 'twell I 

coulden say no mo-' 

Den she said, "Wh3^ sister Jinkens, dancing 

aint no harm 
And I'm gwine to dance all I want to, 'twell 

de brake of Judgement morn." 
Now Sall3^ Carline Johnson can go rite on hur 

wa3% 
But you bet yo' life dat Mandy aint a gwine 

to git too ga3' 
And I aint gwine to lose m3^ 'ligon, and I 

aint gwine git too prowd, 
But I's gwnne joinm3^ Jesus, when He comes 

up on de cloud. 




29 



Mary Lue^s Lover. 

Sambo he aint true 

Bo! Ho! Bo! Ho! 
He's gone to loving little Miss Drew 
Jest de thing I thought he'd do. 

Bo! Ho! Bo! Ho! 

I aint crying fur him 5^ou know 

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! 
But he hurt my feelings so 
I aint gwine speak to him no mo.' 

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! 

Ill snub dat man as show's I live, 

Dat I will, Dat I will. 
I'll go by him with Willie Till 
Den I guess hell hab a chill. 
Dat I will! Dat I will! 

Guess he t'inks he's acting smart. 

Oh me! Oh my! 
I aint goin'er let him break my heart 
By and by I'll have my lark. 

Oh me! Oh my! 

Never seen him 'twell last May 
Hate him worser every day 

Oh! Oh! Sam Bo! 
I have lovers by de sco 

Bo! Ho! Bo! Ho! 
30 



I don't want him an}^ mo 
If he comes I'll shut m)'- do'. 

Bo! Ho! Bo! Ho! 
He ain't g-oner make me lose my grace 

Oh! Dear! Oh! Dear! 

Here he comes I'll wipe my face, 
Pin my dress Jane, do make haste. 

Oh! Dear! Oh! Dear! 
Is that you Sam, well come right in 

Teehe! Teehe! 

You're looking lonesome, how've you been? 

Teehe! Teehe! 
How's de darling little Miss Drew, 
Show'ly she aint jilted you? 

Teehe! Tehee! 
I's been mighty lonesome Sam, 
Glad you'se back, indeed I am. 



To the Memory of Rev. George W. Lee. 

"He is gone!" our elder deacon said, 
"He took his heaven bound flig^ht. 

The world looks on and says, ' He is dead,' 
But he lives in the land of lig-ht." 

31 



And while the deacon spoke thus 

Bv'Cry e5^e was wet with tears, 
For we had lost one of the noblest men 

That had lived in our country for 3^ears. 

The deacon said, "Let us rise and in one great 
body pray 
The pra3^er our blessed Saviour taught his 
twelve disciples to say." 
And our voices were lifted to heaven, in a 
mournfull and grief stricken tone, 
And God sent us down a blessing, from 
around the dazzling white throne. 

We have lost a noble hero, who's place can 
never be filled. 
And though years may pass awa}^ 3^et his 
memor}^ will ever live. 
'Twas in the morning he took his flight to the 
land of the blessed, 
And I know that Reverend Lee, was glad to 
go to rest; 

Por many a time IVe heard him say, when 

death's chilly stream was passed, 
How he'd lay his head on Jesus breast, and 

cr)^ "I am home at last!" 
So let him rest and mourn him not, since we 

know it will not be long 
Ere we too shall follow in his steps, and join 

the happy throng. 



32 



My Prayer. 



In the morning- when I arise, a little pray 1 

pra.y: 
"Lord keep m}- heart and tong-ue from wrong 
Throughout the live-long^ da3\" 
And when the evening shadows fall a little 

song I singf: 
"Oh! may this weary soul of mine, soon go to 

meet its King." 
And when the night comes and I la}^ me down 

down to rest, 
I pray a thankful pra3^er, for I know I have 
been blessed. 
And my soul within me whispers: 
"Lord, watch thy humble child." 
And I know my prayer is heard, 
For I feel the Saviour's smile. 



When Vm Dead and Gone. 

When I'm dead and g-one don' weep and wail 

fur me 
'Cause I's a gwine to heben to sing a Jubilee. 
And when )^ou carries me to de church, don' 

bow yo' head and cry 
'Cause I t'ink 'tis a blessed thing-, dat man was 

made to. die. 

33 



I don't want to sta}^ and suffer in this lowl}^ 

land of sin 
So when I's dead and gone to heben clear yo' 

throat and sa}^ "Amen." 
When you carries me to the grave, and la3^s 

m)^ bones beneath de sod, 
Jest remember dat m)" spirit lives above de 

world wid God. 

Don' you drap 3^0' lower jaw, 'twell yo' face is 

two yards long, 
Don' you drap yo' se'f in moaning, don' you 

sing no moanfull song; 
'Cause way up 5^onder in glory around the 

glassy sea 
My po' soul a gwine to shout a mighty Jubilee. 



The Forsaken Mother. 

I am all forsaken, an outcast all alone. 

My children all have left me. 
Their hearts have turned to stone. 

M}^ husband died and left me with little 
children four 
And it was all that I could do 

To keep poverty from our door. 
There was Willie, Johnie, Fannie and Bess — 

I worked for them and did m}^ best. 
Through honesty I raised them everyone, 

'Twas a hard task, but alas it was done. 
3-i 



M}^ children married and settled down. 

Fannie went awa}^ to live, 
But the others sta3^ed in town. 

I went to live with Bess, 
The j^oungest of them all. 

She said there was not room enoug-h, 
The house was ver}^ small. 

I went to live with Willie, 
But his wife said to me 

That she thought there was not 
Room enough in the house for three. 

My feet were tired and weary, 
My humble heart was sore. 

As I slowly trudged along 
To find my Johnnie's door. 

But Johnnie said, "Mother you can't stay 
here, 
For I rent my rooms, house rent is dear, 
If it were not for that you could welcomely 
stay. 
But you see for m}^ rooms you are not able to 
pay." 
Then, "Son," said I, "to the poor-house 
I must go." 
And on I trudged to the poor house, with my 
heart full of woe. 
"O, God, bless m}^ children, " the poor woman 
cried. 

Then she casted her eyes toward heaven 
And bowed her head and died. 



35 



Sam Found SometMng New and 
Mammy did too. 

I wants somet'ing- new to do, 
I'se tired of workin' an' playin' too, 
So I g-uess I'll g-it upon de she'f 
An' pitch into t'ing-s an' he'p myse'f. 

Corse I knows dat hit aint rig-ht 

But my jaws feels likes day wants to bite. 

But how's I g-wine to git up dar? 

Oh, I knows, I'll git a cha'r. 

Jist look — Ivor's, dar's chicken pie; 

I eat my fill, unless I die. 

Dar's apple pie and g-ing-er cake, 

'Tis 'nuff to make your jaw bone shake. 

Well, I g-uess I'll 'gin to eat, 
I'll first start on de chicken meat; 
And de pie nex' I t'ink I'll take. 
And den I'll hab de ginger cake. 

Dis am m}^ luck}^ day, whoopee! 
Oh! here comes mamm}^ Lawdy me! 

Wat' )^ou doin' up dar, Sam? 

War's my strap — lam! de! lam! 

Stealin' eh! 5^ou rascul you. 

You jist wait 'twell I git thro'. 

Bip! Bam! "Oh! Mammy! wow!" 
Bam! Bam! "Oh, Lawdy! Ow!" 
36 



"I aint neber goin' steal no mo' '' 
Bip! Bang-! "You'll kill me sho' 
Oh! Lawd)^ hear my humble cr3% 
'Cause I b'lieve I's gwine to die." 



Mary's Little Goat. 

Mary had a little goat 
With wool upon his back; 

And every time the goat did wrong, 
He got a little slap. 

He followed her to school one day, 

And butted all around. 
After Mary got him home, 

She whipped him good and sound. 

She carried him to the sea-shore 
And took him to the ba}^ 

When the tide was coming in, 
He'd butt the tide away. 

She carried him for a motor ride, 

To see the country fair. 
He butt the chauffeur out the car 

Away up in the air. 

37 



She carried him to the countr}' 

To get a little fat, 
He chased the cows and butt the pigfs, 

And fought duels with a cat. 

She carried him to a circus; 

So he thought he'd butt the clown 
But he didn't stop a butting, 

'Till the tent was up side down. 

So Mary took her goat 

And whipped him 'till he cried, 
And gave him bread and water 

Until he up his heels and died. 

Then Mar>^ had his funeral, 
And she wept for her dead; 

But late that night he rose again 
And butt her out of bed. 

A Tale told by Grandma. 

I was seting in de cabin do'. 
One moon shin' summers night, 

When I heard a mighty noise. 
An' I seen a mazzing sight. 

Some soldiers was a coming, 
Jest a tearing down de road 

And dej^ busted Mis 'us do' in 
An' thr©' de house dey poured. 

Mis'us had hur bacon, 

All packed up in de wall. 
But de eoldiers broke de wall in 

And I clar' dey took it all. 

38 



De3^ called out po' ol' Hanner, 

An' de}^ made her cook some meat 
An' I can't beg-in to tell you, 

How dem Yankee men did eat. 
Dey catched ever}^ chichen, 

An, dey killed every pig- 
An' Mis'us had histericks 

'Twell she farly danced a jig. 

Den de}^ went in de garden 

An' dey striped de place right bare 
Left de place a lookin' 

Like a sj^clone passed thro dar. 
Den dey went in de barn, 

An' took de co'n and wheat 
An' dey clared de hoi' plantation 

Of eberyting dats fit to eat- 

Dey took all of Mis'us wine, 

An' dey camp out on de place 
An' de way dem soldiers carried on 

I tinks it am disgrace. 
Some of 'em g-ot toxicated, 

An' dey cracked de wo'ses jokes 
An' dey laffed an' squarled an' hollered 

'Twell I frought dey sho' would choke. 

'Twernt nobody on de place, 

Got a drap of sleep dat nig-ht 
Kber)^ eye was so red nex' mornin' 

Woulden a thought dey had a white, 
or Mar'ser he had g-one to war. 

So po' Mis'us she was lef 
Dout a soal fer to perfect hur 

But her own po' measely sef ' 

39 



Well I neber was so sorr}^ 

Fur a body in my life 
As I was fur po' ol' Mis'us 

She was scared as little mice. 
Why de way she ran across de yard, 

An' fell in Hanner's do' 
Would of made 3^ou clar 'fore heben 

Dat she'd los' hur reason sho'. 

Scared po' Hanner twell she hollered. 

Ivowd enoug^h to make 3^ou def ' 
Lawsy Mis'us w'ats de matter? 

Why you don't look lik' 3^0' sef ' 
You am fraid about dem soldiers 

'Twell 3^ou'se white as an3^ sheet. 
But don't worry hone3^ 

You jest la3^ you down an' sleep. 

But as I has formost told 3^ou 

'Twernt no sleep for us dat night, 
We jest huddled up toget'er 

Watching fur de morning light. 
Well atlas' when mornin' came 

An' de soldiers went away 
De3^ diden leave us vittles nough 

To las us thro' one da3^ 

But de Holy Father knowed, 

An' he woulden let us starb, 
So he sent us to a neighbor 

Dat de soldiers didn't rob 
An' so my story's ended 

An' I aint gwine tell no mo, 
So taint no use for to ax me 

Cause m3^ answer will be no. 

40 



The Pie That Sister Made. 

Mamma was eating- a pie one day, 

And 'twas a fly in it. 
She did'nt know it and took a bite, 

And down on the fly she bit. 
My sister who made that pie was my mother's 
pet. 
But after mamma bit that pie, she was no 
more, you bet. 
My mother grabed a round out of the old arm- 
chair 

And on my poor sister's bones she took a 
liberal share. 

A Verse for Dark Days. 

When the days are long and dreary. 
And your soul is tired and weary. 
And when your burdens seem too heavy to bear, 
Just think of Jesus who is on the other side; 
He is fixing- you a home over there. 
And remember this, that Jesus said, "Even 
tho' I go away, 
I will send mj^ spirit down, so watch ye here 
and pray." 
So weary heart leap for joy, cease thy dark 
dispair. 
And think of Jesus who is on the other side, 
He is fixing- you a home over there. 
41 



The Night is Fast Approaching. 

Why stand ye hear and idle, 

When there's work enoug-h to do, 

And the nig-ht is fast approaching-, 
Soon the sun will be hid from view? 

Why not work whilst the Sun doth warm thee, 
For I warn you, it's beams will not last. 

For the night is fast approaching- 

And this day with its beauty shall pass. 

Cease plucking- fading- flowers. 

Go! g-ather the g-olden grain 
For the nig-ht is fast approaching-, 

When the idler shall be slain. 

Shake thy lazy spirit. 

Leap up in the streng-th of thy mig-ht, 
For the nig-ht is fast approaching 

And the world shall have no lig-ht. 

Go work with faultless courag-e. 
For the Master will pay thee well; 

When the shadows of the black nig-ht falls, 
He'll save thy soul from Hell. 



Love and Hate. 

Two daughters had mother wisdom- 
The pride and joy of her life — 

One was called Love and tenderness. 
The other Hate and strife. 
42 



Love was the sweetest creature 
That ever abounded on earth. 

When the heart was filled with sorrow, 
She would change it into mirth. 

But Hate was indeed the vilest, 
How poisenous was her breath. 

She would crush the tender heart 
Until it long-ed for death. 

But when Hate has been abusing-, 
Ivove will alwa3^s find a wa}' 

To sooth the tender aching heart, 
And take Hate's thorn awav. 



Samson No. 2. 



I's brave as de bravest, 

I kin fight from sun to sun, 

I can lick Jack Johnson — 
Yes lick him till he runs. 

But m}^ jints is kinder stiff. 
And I needs to limber up. 

And I need a bit more practice, 
On dem things called upper-cuts. 

Everybody says dat Jack 
Is mighty powerfull strong, 

But I clair I could lick him 
If he ever catched me wrong. 



43 



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